Chester v Dover Athletic

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WHITES continued their playoff push with a win at struggling Chester on Tuesday night.

A header from Kevin Lokko and an own goal from home skipper Ryan Astles after the restart saw Dover win their second consecutive league game as they rose one place to sixth in the National League ladder.

Chris Kinnear’s men almost made the ideal start as Adebayo Azeez skewed an effort wide after turning his marker in the box.

The host’s first meaningful attack came from Andy Halls. Femi Ilesanmi’s tackle on Gary Roberts fell into the path of the defender, who could only stab wide of the far post.

Moments later, Ryan Bird sliced wide after Mitch Pinnock played in the forward.

At the other end, Roberts curled a wicked free-kick onto the roof of Mitch Walker’s net and Dover’s keeper saved well from the head of Shaun Hobson.

Kevin Lokko twice went close from corners for the away team, but it was Chester who went closest just before the half time whistle.

Harry White run onto Jordan Archer’s flick-on, but the striker could not get the better of a sprawling Walker, with Dover’s stopper able to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Following the restart, Azeez blasted over from the edge of the box and Mitch Brundle tested Firth with a low 20-yard drive minutes later.

Walker was out quickly to grab the ball from Matty Waters after the attacker got the better of two Dover defenders.

And Whites’ stopper produced an even finer piece of goalkeeping to deny
Tom Crawford.

Walker athletically beat away the midfielder’s deflected volley before the ball could reach the top corner.

White then blazed wide after a run from deep and Marcus Bignot’s side were punished for their missed chances.

Brundle’s accurate corner was met by the head of Lokko and the defender, signed on-loan from Stevenage last month, guided the ball into the top corner to open his account for the club.

And seven minutes later the visitors lead was doubled.

Jeffrey outpaced Halls to reach Brundle’s through ball and though Astles was first to the winger’s ball into the box, Chester’s big defender was only able to divert the ball past a stunned Firth and into his own net.

And the drama was not over as another defensive mix-up almost handed Kinnear’s side a third goal.

Azeez headed Jeffrey’s cross towards Hobson standing on the goal line, but hesitation from the centre back almost allowed Azeez to steal in before the ball was finally cleared.

And Dominic Vose had one final chance for Chester in injury time but lashed his free-kick well over.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made two changes to the side that started against Leyton Orient on Saturday. Manny Parry and Liam Bellamy replaced Nortei Nortey and Josh Passley, who started as substitutes.